Another iconic naval platform is now set for retirement after aircraft carrier INS Viraat. The Soviet-origin Tupolev-142M aircraft, which helped the force keep a hawk-eye on enemy warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for almost 30 years, will be decommissioned later this month.

The world's largest and fastest turboprop aircraft, aptly named the 'Albatross,' the Navy had inducted eight TU-142Ms since 1988. "They were the backbone of our long-range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) and anti-submarine warfare operations. But only three are fully operational now. They will now be retired at the naval air station INS Rajali in Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu at a ceremony on March 29," said an officer.

The TU-142Ms are being replaced by the 12 Poseidon-8I long-range patrol aircraft- eight have already been inducted- acquired from the US for $3.2 billion. Packed with radars and armed with deadly Harpoon Block-II missiles, MK-54 lightweight torpedoes, rockets and depth charges to destroy enemy submarines, the Navy also operates the P-8Is from INS Rajali.

The fuel-guzzling TU-142M aircraft were the first true LRMR of the Indian Navy. With a 50-metre wing-span and a combat radius of 6,500-km, the TU-142M has a speed of around 850 kmph. "They also have the highest flying altitude among turboprops, with an operational ceiling of over 13,000 metre," said an officer.

"If the TU-142Ms were hawk-eyes, the P-8Is are far more potent intelligent hawk-eyes," he added. This comes in the backdrop of Chinese submarines, both conventional as well as nuclear, making forays into the IOR on a regular basis now, with an operational turnaround at Karachi, as was earlier reported by TOI.

Much like the TU-142Ms earlier, the P-8Is now work in conjunction with medium-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft like the IL-38s and Israeli Searcher-II and Heron UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) to establish a three-tier surveillance grid in IOR.

Apart from the need to take care of its primary area of strategic interest stretching from Persian Gulf to Malacca Strait, India also has a vast 5,422-km coastline, 1,197 islands and 2.01 million sq km of Exclusive Economic Zone to guard against all threats. _________________

Indian Navy bids farewell to TU-142M aircraft after 29 years of service

Mar 30, 2017

After dominating the skies above the seas for 29 years, the Indian Navy’s TU-142M aircraft were given a ceremonial farewell on Wednesday at the INS Rajali, India’s premiere Naval Air Station in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu.

“The ceremony was attended by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba, Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, and serving and retired officers and men, who have served in the INAS 312 (the squadron of TU-142M),” the Indian Navy said in a statement.

Lauding the stellar role played by the TU-142M aircraft as a Maritime Reconnaissance and Airborne Anti Submarine Warfare aircraft, Admiral Sunil Lanba recollected “the crucial role played by the squadron in Operation Cactus in the Maldives, where fleeing mercenaries were detected and tracked till they were apprehended by Indian warships.”

He also mentioned the maiden participation by TU aircraft as the first Indian Naval aircraft in the Republic Day flypast of 1999.

Acknowledging the professionalism of the pilots and maintainers, who kept the aircraft in peak efficiency during their long service, Lanba said: “The rich legacy of the squadron would continue as the baton is being passed on to the proud crew of the worthy successors, viz. the P-8I squadron.”

In the farewell flight, the TU-142M were accompanied by three Chetak helicopters, two Dorniers, one IL-38 and one Boeing P-8I.

In appreciation of its service, a TU static display was also inaugurated by the Navy chief at INS Rajali.

During its three decades of operational service, the aircraft participated in all major exercises and operations including Operation Cactus in the Maldives, Op Vijay in 1998, Op Parakram in 2002 and anti-piracy operations from 2011 till date.

Commander Yogender Mair, the last Commanding Officer of the squadron with TU-142M aircraft handed over the reins to Commander V Ranganathan, who will be the first Commanding Officer of the squadron with the Boeing P-8I aircraft.

P-8I is the third type of aircraft, after the Lockheed L1049G Super Constellation and the TU-142M aircraft, to be operated by INAS 312. P-8I, considered one of the most advanced maritime reconnaissance aircraft, was inducted in 2015.

Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba at the de-induction of India's long range maritime patrol aircraft, TU-142 M, at the INS Rajali naval air station in Arakkonam on March 29, 2017.

Family members of Navy personnel pose for a photograph in front of TU-142M during its de-induction on Wednesday._________________

Have seen these bad boys taking off and landing in Rajali. Oh dear, the noise! Arrakonam will become a lot quieter now.

But what an aircraft! The TU-142M is solely responsible for giving the Indian Navy full surveillance capability of the Indian Ocean, and a bit beyond too.

If we rank the things we got from the Russians in the order of meritorious performance the 142M would probably be right up there, followed by the SU 30._________________I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl

Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu welcomed the TU-142M Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft of the Indian Navy which landed at INS Dega for the last time on Saturday morning to develop aircraft museum.

On arrival of the TU-142M, CM Naidu interacted with the crew members and exchanged mementos.

The Andhra Pradesh government had earlier requested the Ministry of Defence for allotment of one de-inducted TU-142M for converting it into a museum. The AP government’s is being processed at the Ministry of Defence, New Delhi.

Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) would be coordinating all activities related to aircraft museum on behalf of Govt. of AP. The TU is likely to be dismantled and transported by road on trailers and re-assembled on the Beach Road near Kursura Submarine Museum.

With the imposing looks and a lethal punch to match, the TU-142M aircraft which have been nothing short of a ‘Flying Destroyer’, was given an impressive welcome as it landed for the last time at Visakhapatnam by a flypast of three Chetak helicopters, two Kamov helicopters, two Dorniers, and one P-8I Aircraft.

After having served the Indian Navy with pride and élan for 29 years, during which it accomplished 30,000 hrs of accident free flying, the TU-142M aircraft were given a befitting farewell on 29 March 2017 at INS Rajali, India’s premiere Naval Air Station in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu.